"Wine-ding down 2012"

Happy Holidays and now, New Year's. Time flies and suddenly it is the end of the month/year and I am scrambling to make a theme of what I have been drinking and what I think is a particular value and worth sharing...

Two sparklers speak to holiday festivities and the reds are affordable dinner party companions. Tenuous themes but true, so I will stick with it!

 Niagara bubbles:

JACKSON-TRIGGS - ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE BRUT, 2008 -$22.95
Good complexity for price. Brioche, pear and apple on nose and palate. Creamy mousse.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=entourage&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://on.jacksontriggswinery.com/product/2007-Silver-Series-ENTOURAGE-Sparkling-Methode-Classique

FLAT ROCK CELLARS - BRUT RESERVE, 2007 -$35.00
Complex layers of citrus and apples, with biscuit to round out nose and palate. Lingering finish.

http://www.flatrockcellars.com/products/category/sparkling-wine

 

Great value red:

BROTTE - LA FIOLE - COTE DU RHONE (GRENACHE/SYRAH) FRANCE - $13.95

Simple but pleasing wine. Good value for money with spicy and floral nose. Blackcurrant, plum and a slight herbaceous quality.

 

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=293498

Classic Chianti:

TOMMASO BOJOLA - LA CASTELLINA,  CHIANTI CLASSICO, ITALY - $21.95

Fruity and savoury nose - wild herbs and blackcurrant. Lengthy herbal, dried fruit palate with a hint of black tea.

http://www.winealign.com/wines/23520-La-Castellina-Tommaso-Bojola-Chianti-Classico-2007